I'm Ashley, and I've been working in design for seven-plus+ years. I originally came from Malaysia, but I've had the opportunity to live and work in the Netherlands, France, and now Bangkok, Thailand, as a senior product designer for the Opn Network team.

My previous experience was mostly agency work, which allowed me to dip my toes into many industries. However, I sought to take ownership of a long-standing product in an indispensable field, enabling all others. I decided to work for Opn because fintech facilitates access to financial services. And Opn's technology aims to provide access to the digital economy for everyone.

Getting Hired and My Onboarding Experience

I had a great experience during the hiring and onboarding process. The PO team (People Operations) was communicative and professional and made sure I had everything I needed to get started. I felt supported and valued from day one.

My Job Responsibilities

Design is crucial in defining the product. It plays a critical role in shaping how users interact with a product, optimizing functionality, and simplifying complex processes.

Working as a designer at Opn means being a vital member of the team and being able to take on a variety of roles on top of designing, such as conducting design research, managing projects, analyzing business requirements, and contributing to the overall design and product strategy.

For me, the rush of working in a fast-paced environment is incredibly gratifying. I enjoy working together with the team and coming up with solutions to complex and multifaceted problems. No two days are ever the same, and there's always something new to learn.

Team Dynamics

Opn Network’s design team is a small and specialized international team; we imagine and explore the utilization of blockchain technology for everyday use cases. As we are relatively small compared to other teams, we collaborate closely and make decisions together.

I feel incredibly fortunate to be a part of a supportive, talented, and cohesive team. Despite our differences in background and skills, we work together seamlessly and always aim to continuously improve! I'm excited to keep learning and see what we can accomplish together!

Over the past six months, we have achieved:

• The launch of four products

• 2,000 registered users (and counting!)

• Serviced three major clients And much more planned ahead!

Beyond work projects and borders, when a team member working in a different region comes to Thailand, the team makes an effort to connect and welcome them and get as much in-person collaboration as possible. There is a sense of camaraderie when we meet in person; we get to know each other personally through team dinners and team-building events.

The Opn Workplace Culture

From the top down, leadership is committed to creating a positive and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and supported. Opn truly invests in its employees, whether it’s through training and development programs or simply offering flexible work arrangements to accommodate our personal lives and provide a good work-life balance.

I’m grateful to be a part of a supportive and positive company. It makes coming to work each day something to look forward to.

My Training and Professional Development

I had the opportunity to take part in the six-part training seminar on Mastercard Payments 101, which was invaluable and provided me with comprehensive insight into the fintech industry and digital payments. A great crash course in getting to know fintech and its importance in the financial services industry.

Opn provides an abundance of training opportunities through our Learning & Development team. Some of the learning initiatives I am very keen on are leadership training, language lessons (I'm learning Thai!), and upskilling courses using Opn’s learning and development tools.

Accomplishments and Challenges

There was a learning curve stepping into the fintech industry for the first time, including understanding blockchain, learning the industry language of financial products, and new team dynamics. Initially, I struggled to adjust to the new role and did not speak up, but after doing so, I discovered my team was very understanding and helped me learn, adapt and grow into the role, where I am now a senior contributor to the product design team.

As you can imagine, it was a challenging start with a learning curve that required me to work hard and quickly adapt my skills. However, with continuous support from my colleagues and guidance from my manager along the way, I found my rhythm and am now excited about the possibilities that lie ahead.

My Advice to Future Employees at Opn

Be open to learning: This industry is rapidly evolving, and there's always something new to learn and something new that will challenge you. Even if you are a subject expert, there is still ongoing learning and growth when starting a new role at a new company. Try new things, take new appetites, and your career will benefit you in the long run!

Don't be afraid to share your ideas and perspective on the work: Opn is a supportive and collaborative culture where ideas and feedback are encouraged.